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SSD buying power

A Wapakoneta city administrator will be given the power to purchase items when needed or to answer an emergency if a piece of legislation is adopted tonight at the Wapakoneta City Council meeting.

Council members are scheduled to hear the third and final reading of an ordinance to authorize Safety-Service Director Bill Rains to advertise for bids and to enter into contracts for specific materials, service contracts and equipment rental for the operation of city departments.

“This is a bit of housekeeping because we go out for bids every year for stone, concrete and asphalt,” Rains said. “This is for materials we use in the day-to-day operation of the city. There are probably 20 or more items I can purchase to continue the operation of the various departments or in the case of an emergency.

“This ordinance is so we can contract for materials, labor or equipment so we can get them without a hassle,” the safety-service director said. “This enables us to purchase the materials we need, such as sewer pipe when the Public Works Department needs more for a specific project.”

The ordinance provides Rains with the power to negotiate annual contracts with suppliers for the year so the city knows how much each item will cost for a specific year. The ordinance lists such items as electrical wire, transformers, ferrous chloride, road salt, kiln dust, fire hydrants, refuse bags, tree trimming, slurry sealing and full-depth reclamation. There are others.

Councilors are expected to vote on the ordinance after it is read.

If councilors adopt the ordinance, Rains will be given the authority to start purchasing such items in 30 days, a waiting period for comments since the legislation is not read as an emergency.

Councilors also are scheduled to consider for adoption an ordinance authorizing the safety-service director to enter into an agreement with the Duchouquet Township trustees to furnish the township with fire protection and EMS service.

Councilors also will consider for adoption an ordinance establishing job titles and pay ranges for non-collective bargaining unit employees, specifically creating a salary schedule for the Wapakoneta WaterPark general manager.

Councilors will hear the second reading of an ordinance levying special assessments for the improvement of East Benton Street from Water Street to the CSX railroad tracks, which was completed in 2012. The assessments are for curbs, gutters, sidewalks and driveway approaches.

Councilors also will hear the second reading of an ordinance to vacate two alleys between 408 and 410 North St.

Councilors will hear the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the safety-service director to set specifications, advertise for bids and execute a scrap tire paving program using a state Scrap Tire Grant.

Councilors also are scheduled to hear the first reading of the 2013 annual appropriations for the city.